Assembly device and method for the fastening of elements

ABSTRACT

An assembly device is proposed which permits easy assembly. The assembly device includes at least one hollow profile with at least one longitudinal slot in a longitudinal direction of the hollow profile, and at least one connecting element for insertion into the hollow profile. The connecting element has at least two fastening elements and a carrier for receiving the fastening elements, wherein the fastening elements can be fixed to the carrier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Utility Patent Application claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2013 103 772.0 filed on Apr. 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to an assembly device, in one embodiment for the fastening of panel-shaped elements. The invention also relates to a method for the fastening of panel-shaped elements, and to a rail vehicle having panel-shaped cladding elements.

In rail vehicle construction, and also in other fields, it is necessary for panel-shaped elements to be fastened to base frames or car bodyshells. One possibility for this is the use of hollow profiles. Such hollow profiles with slot nuts inserted therein permit re-adjustable and detachable fastening. For this purpose, the slot nuts must be tipped, turned or inserted laterally into the hollow profiles which are of C-shape profile form.

Use is also made of manifold slot nuts, for example sliding rails, with threaded bores spaced apart in a toleranced manner. Solutions such as riveting nuts or cage nuts are also known for the fastening of panel-shaped elements.

Hollow profiles are known to be used for the fastening of seats on a floor of a rail vehicle.

The solutions have the disadvantage that the fastening elements must be held in their position during the assembly process. This necessitates accessibility to the fastening elements during the assembly process. This is problematic in one embodiment in the case of vertical C-profile rails when using slot nuts. The slot nuts must be held in position for example by using a grub screw in order for the element to be fastened to be connected to the slot nut.

Assembly elements such as riveting nuts or cage nuts have the disadvantage that the exact position must already be set before the assembly process. There is thus only a limited possibility of tolerance compensation.

For these and other reasons there is a need for the present invention.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments provide an assembly device, and method which permits easier assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended drawings illustrate embodiments and serve, together with the description, for explaining the principles of the invention. The elements of the drawings are relative to one another and are not necessarily true to scale. The same reference signs are used to denote correspondingly similar parts.

FIGS. 1A to 1D illustrate an assembly device according to a first embodiment.

FIGS. 2A to 2D illustrate an assembly device according to a second embodiment.

FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate an assembly device according to a third embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an assembly device according to a fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

It is to be understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

One or more embodiments are achieved by using an assembly device according to Claim 1. Furthermore, one or more embodiments are achieved by using a method according to Claim 10. Furthermore, the embodiment is achieved by using a rail vehicle according to Claim 12. Further embodiments, modifications and improvements will emerge from the following description and the appended claims.

In one embodiment, an assembly device is provided. The assembly device includes at least one hollow profile with at least one longitudinal slot in a longitudinal direction of the hollow profile, and at least one connecting element for insertion into the hollow profile. The connecting element includes at least two fastening elements and a carrier for receiving the fastening elements, wherein the fastening elements can be fixed to the carrier.

By using the carrier, it is for example possible for the fastening elements to be kept spaced apart from one another to a suitable extent and thus already placed in a desired assembly position. It is accordingly possible, for example, for the spacing of the fastening elements from one another to be adjusted according to requirements, such that a desired pre-alignment of the fastening elements with respect to an element to be fastened to the hollow profile, for example a panel-shaped element, is then already provided. This facilitates the assembly of the element to be fastened. If the panel-shaped element has, for example, a raster of bores through which fastening means can be passed in order to engage with the fastening elements, it is accordingly possible for the fastening elements to already be set to the raster by using the carrier.

By comparison with, for example, continuous sliding rails which have internal threads spaced apart from one another to defined extents, the solution described here has numerous advantages. What is firstly worthy of mentioning is the weight saving, because the connecting element composed of carrier and fastening elements can be made considerably more lightweight in relation to a continuous, solid sliding rail. In one embodiment, as fastening elements, use may be made of individual slot nuts (sliding blocks) which each for example have an internal thread and which are suitably spaced apart by using the carrier. The connecting element described here may thus also be referred to as a compound sliding rail. Here, it falls within the scope of the invention for the carrier and fastening elements to be composed of different materials which are correspondingly adapted to their respective function. Since the fastening elements perform the actual fastening function, these are typically produced from metal. By contrast, the carrier may be formed from plastic.

Secondly, it is easily possible for the connecting element to be adapted to different assembly conditions, for example by displacement of the individual fastening elements. Accordingly, the connecting element may be composed of always one carrier of identical construction and for example multiple identical fastening elements, even for the fastening of elements that require a different raster. The fastening elements need merely be fixed in or on the carrier in accordance with the predefined raster.

Furthermore, it is easily possible for the length of the connecting element to be adapted to the respective assembly conditions. For this purpose, the carrier may be correspondingly shortened. This is easily possible in one embodiment if a profile rail is used as a carrier and/or the carrier is composed of a plastics material. By contrast, shortening of solid, continuous sliding rails, which are typically composed of metal, is possible only with great effort.

Furthermore, the solution proposed here permits an exchange of individual fastening elements in the event of damage.

The connecting element is typically inserted into the hollow profile together with its carrier and the fastening elements fixed on or in the carrier. The carrier thus lies together with the fastening elements in the hollow profile when in assembled state. The connecting element is this completely inserted into the hollow profile. The carrier inserted into the hollow profile is slidable in the hollow profile.

The carrier may be composed of an elastic or flexible material. This facilitates handling, in one embodiment during the insertion of the connecting element into the hollow profile in poorly accessible regions. Accordingly, it is for example possible for the connecting element to be threaded through a single opening of the hollow profile. The opening may be a lateral opening of the hollow profile, which is for example in the form of an extruded profile, or else may be an opening provided specifically for threading-in purposes in the region of the longitudinal slot. A local widening of the longitudinal slot may for example be provided for the threading-in of the connecting element. It is in one embodiment possible for the carrier to be of substantially rigid form, for example in the manner of a profile rail or a solid plastics carrier.

The longitudinal slot may extend along the entire hollow profile. It is also possible for multiple longitudinal slots to be provided which run in alignment with one another and so as to be spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile. This improves the mechanical stability of the hollow profile.

The fastening elements may be received by the carrier, wherein the fastening elements are accessible at the open side of the carrier. The connecting element thus formed should thus be inserted into the hollow profile in the correct orientation in order that the fastening elements come to bear against that side of the connecting element which points towards the longitudinal slot.

The assembly device described here basically permits easy adaptability to different assembly conditions, such as for example length and raster of a connection, when using inherently identical main components (carrier, fastening element), and a pre-alignment of the individual fastening elements. Overall, this results in easier assembly.

In one embodiment, the carrier may be designed such that the fastening elements can be laid or plugged into the carrier.

In one embodiment, the fastening elements are freely displaceable on or in the carrier in the longitudinal direction of the carrier. In one embodiment, this is possible for example by using, as the carrier, a profile rail which is open on one side. The fastening elements may be suitably fixable in the profile rail. The profile rail may be composed of a plastics material. It is also possible for the profile rail to be produced from a metal, for example aluminium, in the form of an extruded profile.

In one embodiment, the fastening elements can be offset on or in the carrier by using a raster provided in the carrier. The raster in the carrier may for this purpose be adapted to the raster required for the assembly process. In one refinement, it is possible for the raster to be provided in very finely graduated form, such that the fastening elements can likewise be offset in a finely graduated manner and thus the spacing thereof can be adapted to different assembly rasters, which then correspond to a multiple of the raster of the carrier.

In one embodiment, the carrier has retention elements for the fixing of the fastening elements. The retention elements serve for fixing the fastening elements to the carrier in an adequately secure manner and preventing an inadvertent detachment. The retention elements may be designed so as to permit detachable fixing of the fastening elements.

The carrier may for example be formed so as to receive the fastening elements in a positively locking or at least partially positively locking manner, with the fastening elements being exposed at least on one side of the carrier. Access to the fastening elements is thus ensured.

The retention elements may also be in the form of elastic elements and/or detent elements.

In one embodiment, the fastening elements each have at least one internal thread, the thread axis of which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the carrier. It is then possible for a fastening means, for example a screw, to engage into the internal thread and thus produce a detachable connection. As fastening elements, use is typically made of individual slot nuts with in each case one, for example centrally arranged internal thread. The slot nuts are then held spaced apart to a suitable extent by using the carrier.

In one embodiment, the assembly device therefore has detachable fastening means which can be placed in engagement with the respective fastening elements through the longitudinal slots.

In one embodiment, the connecting element has at least one, at least two spring elements for the temporary fixing of the connecting element in the hollow profile. The one or more spring elements hold the connecting element within the hollow profile in a desired assembly position. Here, the spring elements may be designed such that they can reliably prevent the connecting element from slipping. This is advantageous in one embodiment in the case of vertically arranged hollow profiles. This results in a considerable simplification of assembly overall.

In one embodiment, the one or more spring elements are arranged on the carrier on that side of the connecting element which faces away from the longitudinal slot. The spring elements are thus supported against the inner surface, which is situated opposite the longitudinal slot, of the hollow profile. It is thus simultaneously ensured that the connecting element is pressed in the direction of the longitudinal slot, such that the connecting element is thus more easily accessible. It is however also possible for the spring elements to be supported against other inner surfaces of the hollow profile. The spring elements may in this case be supported against one, two or even three inner surfaces.

In one embodiment, a method for the fastening of panel-shaped elements is provided. In the method, a bodyshell or a load-bearing element with a hollow profile is firstly provided, the hollow profile having at least one longitudinal slot in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile. The hollow profile may for example be formed integrally with the bodyshell. It is in one embodiment possible for the hollow profile to be fastened to the bodyshell or to the load-bearing element.

Furthermore, a connecting element is inserted into the hollow profile, for example pushed laterally into the hollow profile, wherein the connecting element has at least two fastening elements and a carrier for receiving the fastening elements. A panel-shaped element is fastened to the hollow profile by way of fastening means which are placed in engagement with the fastening elements of the connecting element and, in the process, press the panel-shaped element onto the hollow profile. The panel-shaped element is thus firmly clamped.

In one embodiment, the connecting element includes at least one spring element. The spring element serves to hold the connecting element in the hollow profile in a position required for the assembly of the panel-shaped element, such that pre-alignment of the connecting element is ensured.

In one embodiment, detachable fastening elements that are accessible substantially from one side, in one embodiment slot nuts, are thus assembled, which are held at a predetermined position during the assembly process.

In one embodiment, a rail vehicle car is provided which has a car bodyshell and at least one panel-shaped cladding element, wherein the panel-shaped cladding element is fastened to the car bodyshell by using an assembly device. The assembly device described above is particularly suitable for the fastening of panel-shaped cladding elements, in one embodiment for the interior finishing of rail vehicle cars. The panel-shaped cladding elements may in one embodiment be floor panels, side panels and roof panels. Such cladding elements are relatively large and heavy. The assembly device facilitates the installation of such elements because it permits a pre-alignment of the connecting element with optional simultaneous temporary fixing of the connecting element. It is also advantageous that the connecting element can be designed to be of considerably lower weight than a continuous, solid sliding rail. This not only facilitates the assembly process but also constitutes a weight saving for the rail vehicle car.

The invention thus describes an assembly device for fastening elements, wherein the fastening elements, which are provided with a thread and which, by using an elastic or non-elastic carrier, are detachably or non-detachably connected to one another in spaced-apart fashion or by using a raster or in freely displaceable fashion, permit tolerance-compensating assembly of components or elements. Here, the assembly may for example be performed on a C-shape profile without prior cumbersome positioning and fixing of the fastening elements in the C-shape profile, because the fastening elements are held suitably in position by using the carrier. Furthermore, the fastening elements may be held in the position required for the assembly process by using a spring element or by using a resilient construction element that may be integrated in the carrier.

It falls within the scope of the invention to use individual hollow profiles or multiple hollow profiles which optionally are integrally connected to one another and run parallel to one another, wherein each hollow profile includes at least one connecting element. Examples are single-C-shape profiles and double-C-shape profiles. The hollow profiles may simultaneously perform the function of a support surface for the panel-shaped element or the panel-shaped elements. Here, the respective panel-shaped element is pressed onto the support surface and fixed by clamping action. Tolerance compensation or a displacement of the respective panel-shaped element is in this case possible before the latter is fixed.

The proposed assembly device can be used in one embodiment in rail vehicle cars with passenger compartments for local and regional passenger transport and for long-distance and high-speed passenger transport.

FIG. 1A illustrates a plan view of an assembly device 100. The assembly device 100 includes a hollow profile 3 with a longitudinal slot 10 which is in this case continuous in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile 3. In this embodiment, the hollow profile 3 is, in cross section, of C-shape profile form, as can be seen from FIG. 1B which illustrates a section along the line A-A in FIG. 1A.

The assembly device furthermore includes a connecting element 20 which can be inserted into the hollow profile 3 and displaced therein. FIG. 1B illustrates the connecting element 20 in cross section. The connecting element 20 includes a carrier 2 and one, two or more fastening elements 1 which can be fixed on or in the carrier 2.

In the embodiment illustrated here, the carrier 2 is in the form of a profile rail, composed for example of a plastic. The profile rail has a cross-sectional profile which is open on one side and into which the fastening elements 1 can be inserted at any desired location. The cross-sectional profile of the carrier 2 narrows in a stepped or continuous manner from its open end to its closed end, such that it is possible for the fastening elements 1 to be inserted perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the carrier 2.

In the embodiment illustrated here, slot nuts with an internal thread are used as fastening elements 1. The slot nuts 1 are laid into the carrier 2. The carrier 2 may be an extruded profile and can be easily shortened to the required length before the assembly process. The required number of slot nuts 1 is then inserted into the carrier 2 and are placed so as to be suitably spaced apart in accordance with the assembly conditions. For this purpose, it is possible for the slot nuts 1 to be displaced in the carrier 2 in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Here, the slot nuts 1 constitute detachable fastening elements that are accessible from one side. The fact that the slot nuts 1 are received in the carrier 2 also has the effect that the orientation with which the connecting element is installed is predefined, and this should be taken into consideration during the assembly process.

As seen in the section transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent, the internal cross section of the carrier 2 may correspond to the external cross section of the slot nuts 1, such that the slot nuts are received in the carrier in a positively locking manner.

Furthermore, the carrier 2 has retention elements 21. These are illustrated in FIG. 1D, which illustrates a detail of the cross section along the line A-A. The detail is indicated in FIG. 1B by using a dashed line. In the embodiment illustrated here, the retention elements 21 are formed by channels (grooves) or furrows which run in the longitudinal direction of the carrier 2 on the inner side of the carrier 2, that is to say on the inner side of the profile rail in the present embodiment. This permits a free displacement of the slot nuts 1.

The slot nuts 1 (fastening elements) may in turn have retention elements 11 which correspond to the retention elements 21 of the carrier 2 and which engage into the latter retention elements. When the slot nuts 1 are laid into the carrier 2, the carrier 2 is bent open slightly and then snaps back into its original cross-sectional shape again when the retention elements 11, 21 are in engagement. For this purpose, it is expedient for the carrier 2 to exhibit a certain degree of elasticity. As a result, the slot nuts 1 are fixed displaceably in the carrier 2 by positive locking of the interacting retention elements 11, 21.

As illustrated in FIG. 1C, which illustrates a section along the line B-B from FIG. 1A, the connecting element 20 also has spring elements 4 which are arranged on the rear side of the carrier 2 and which are supported against the inner surface, which is situated opposite the longitudinal slot 10, of the hollow profile 3. In this way, the connecting element 20 is pressed against the upper inner surface of the hollow profile 3 in FIG. 1C and is thus fixed in the hollow profile 3. A displacement of the connecting element 20 nevertheless remains possible.

The spring elements 4 are in this case in the form of spiral springs. The spring elements may in one embodiment also be leaf springs or other elastic elements. Leaf springs are illustrated in FIG. 4B. The spring elements 4 hold the connecting element 20 in the desired assembly position.

The spring elements 4 may be formed integrally with the carrier 2. Accordingly, the spring elements 4 may likewise be composed of plastic. It is in one embodiment possible for the spring elements to be provided separately from the carrier and to be brought together with the carrier for the first time on site, for example upon the insertion of the connecting element into the hollow profile.

Each slot nut 1 has an internal thread 6 whose thread axis runs perpendicular to the connecting element 20. The internal threads 6 are accessible for fastening means 5, in the present embodiment screws 5, via the longitudinal slot 10. An element to be held, typically a panel-shaped element, is fixed to the hollow profile 3 by way of the fastening means 5.

A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Parts that correspond to one another are denoted by the same reference signs. Here, FIG. 2A likewise illustrates a plan view of the assembly device, FIG. 2B illustrates a section along the line A-A, FIG. 2C illustrates a section along the line B-B, and FIG. 2D illustrates an enlarged detail from FIG. 2C.

The assembly device 100 in the second embodiment is of substantially the same construction as the assembly device of the first embodiment. The description will therefore not be repeated. By contrast to the first embodiment, the carrier is in this case not in the form of a hollow profile rail but rather is in the form of a continuous solid profile rail, with cutouts 29 being provided into which the fastening means 1, which in this case are likewise in the form of individual slot nuts, can be inserted.

The carrier 2 typically includes a multiplicity of cutouts 29 which may for example be arranged with a uniform spacing between adjacent cutouts. A raster for the offsetting of the slot nuts 1 is thus predefined.

To prevent the slot nuts 1 from falling out, the carrier 2 has retention elements 22; in this case in the form of slightly obliquely running surfaces which are inclined in relation to the vertical on the carrier 2 and which face toward one another. The slot nuts 1 have corresponding abutment surfaces 12 as corresponding retention elements. The form of the cutouts 29 may substantially correspond to the form of the slot nuts 1. The slot nuts 1 are securely held in the cutouts 29 by using positive locking between the abutment surfaces 12 and the retention elements 22.

In the second embodiment, too, a certain degree of flexibility or elastic resilience of the material of the carrier 2 is advantageous for the insertion of the slot nuts 1. As material, consideration is given here in one embodiment to plastic.

A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Parts that correspond to one another are denoted by the same reference signs. FIG. 3A in this case likewise illustrates a plan view of the assembly device, FIG. 3B illustrates a section along the line A-A, FIG. 3C illustrates a section along the line B-B, and FIG. 3D illustrates an enlarged detail from FIG. 3C.

The assembly device 100 of the third embodiment is of substantially the same construction as the assembly device of the first embodiment. The description will therefore not be repeated. The carrier 2 of the connecting element 20 is in this case again in the form of a hollow profile rail, composed for example of plastic. In this case, as retention elements 23, use is made of detent elements which extend in the cross section of the carrier 2 from the closed profile end to the open profile end. As illustrated on an enlarged scale in FIG. 3D, each detent element 23 includes two detent arms 23 a, 23 b, which engage into corresponding retention elements 13 of the slot nut 1. For this purpose, each slot nut 1 has one or two retention elements 13. The latter are in this case formed in each case by a through bore with a step 13 a behind which the detent arms 23 a, 23 b engage and thus fixedly hold the slot nut 1.

The detent elements 23 are arranged along the longitudinal extent of the carrier 2 with uniform spacing between adjacent detent elements, and thus form a raster. In the embodiment illustrated here, each slot nut 1 has in each case two through bores 13 which have a spacing to one another corresponding to the raster of the detent elements 23. The slot nuts 1 can thus be offset in incremental fashion by the spacing of two adjacent detent elements 23.

In the figures, the screws 5 extend through the respective carrier 2. Corresponding openings may be provided in the carrier 2 for this purpose. This is possible in one embodiment in the exemplary embodiments with a raster, because here, the position of the slot nuts 1 is predefined. If the slot nuts 1 are freely displaceable, as is the case in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1A to 1D, the screws 5, when they are fully screwed in and then protrude from the underside of the slot nuts, can cause slight bending of the carrier there. This is not critical because the carrier 2 serves merely for pre-orientation and temporary holding of the slot nuts 1.

The carrier 2 may for example be composed of foamed material or a soft, rubber-like material. The screws 5 can then either drill into the material or cause the latter to bulge outward slightly.

It is basically also possible for the carrier 2 to be configured such that adequate space for the screws 5 is left free below the slot nuts 1. For this purpose, a central groove may for example be provided in the longitudinal direction of the carrier 2. Such a groove is also advantageous where the screws 5 cause the carrier 2 to bulge outward, because a groove of the type weakens the material of the carrier 2, which can then be bulged outward there more easily. Instead of a single, continuous groove, it is also possible for multiple grooves to be provided one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, with transverse webs remaining between the grooves.

It is also possible for the length of the screws and/or the thickness of the slot nuts 1 to be adapted such that the screws 5 do not project out of the slot nuts 1 when they have been screwed in.

A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. Parts that correspond to one another are denoted by the same reference signs. FIG. 4A illustrates a cross section, and FIG. 4B illustrates a longitudinal section, through an assembly device.

The assembly device 100 of the fourth embodiment substantially corresponds to the assembly device according to the first embodiment, with the difference that, in this case, leaf springs 41 are used as spring elements.

FIGS. 4A and 4B also illustrate the use of the assembly device 100 for the fastening of panel-shaped elements, in this case using the specific example of floor panels 60 of a rail vehicle car. Other panel-shaped cladding elements instead of floor panels may also be fastened by using the assembly device. The fastening is particularly advantageous in the case of vertically running hollow profiles because the inlaid connecting element can be moved into the desired assembly position easily and can be securely held there by using the spring elements. In the case of horizontally running hollow profiles, the inlaid connecting element is pressed in the direction of the longitudinal slot and is thus easily accessible.

In this case, the hollow profile 3 of the assembly device 100 is fastened to a load-bearing element 50. The load-bearing element 50 may be part of a car bodyshell of the rail vehicle car. It is basically conceivable for the hollow profile 3 to be fastened to the load-bearing element 50 by way of various possible fastening types. The connection may for example be realized, as illustrated here, by using an adhesive connection which has a certain degree of elasticity. This firstly permits a degree of vibration damping and secondly realizes a certain amount of height compensation. The hollow profile 3 may in one embodiment be fixedly screwed, or fastened in some other suitable manner, to the car bodyshell, optionally with a height compensation facility. In this case, the hollow profile 3 forms a floor rail.

A floor panel 60 with bores 61 is laid on the top side of the hollow profile 3, on which the longitudinal slot 10 extends. The floor panel 60 is pressed against the top side of the hollow profile 3 by using screws 5 which engage through the bores 61 into the internal thread 6 of the slot nuts 1. The top side of the hollow profile 3 in this case forms a support surface 31 for the floor panel 60.

For the assembly process, the connecting element 20 is inserted into the hollow profile 3 and moved into the position suitable for assembly. Here, it is possible for the spacing of the slot nuts 1 to be set beforehand in accordance with the assembly raster, which is predefined for example by the bores 61. In the first and fourth embodiments, this may be realized by simple displacement of the slot nuts 1. In the second and third embodiments, this is realized in accordance with the raster in the carrier 2. In this case, the raster in the carrier 2 should correspond to the raster of the bores 61. The raster in the carrier 2 may in one embodiment correspond to an integer divisor of the raster of the bores 61. This permits an adaptation to different assembly rasters, which should however constitute a multiple of the raster in the carrier 1.

The floor panel 60 is finally screwed to the hollow profile 3 by way of the screws 5.

Even though specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it falls within the scope of the present invention for the embodiments illustrated to be suitably modified without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. The assembly device, comprising: at least one hollow profile with at least one longitudinal slot in a longitudinal direction of the hollow profile; and at least one connecting element for insertion into the hollow profile, the connecting element comprising at least two fastening elements and a carrier for receiving the fastening elements, wherein the fastening elements can be fixed to the carrier.
 2. The assembly device according to claim 1, where the fastening elements are freely displaceable on or in the carrier in the longitudinal direction of the carrier.
 3. The assembly device according to claim 1, where the fastening elements can be offset on or in the carrier by a raster provided in the carrier.
 4. The assembly device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises retention elements for the fixing of the fastening elements.
 5. The assembly device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening elements each comprises at least one internal thread, the thread axis of which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the carrier.
 6. The assembly device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is a profile rail which is open on one side and in which the fastening elements can be fixed.
 7. The assembly device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element comprises at least one spring element for the temporary fixing of the connecting element in the hollow profile.
 8. The assembly device according to claim 7, wherein the one or more spring elements are arranged on the carrier on that side of the connecting element which faces away from the longitudinal slot.
 9. The assembly device according to claim 1, further comprising a detachable fastening mechanism which can be placed in engagement with the respective fastening elements through the longitudinal slots.
 10. A method for fastening of panel-shaped elements, comprising: providing a bodyshell or a load-bearing element with a hollow profile which comprises at least one longitudinal slot in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile; inserting a connecting element into the hollow profile, wherein the connecting element comprises at least two fastening elements and a carrier for receiving the fastening elements; fastening the panel-shaped element to the hollow profile by way of fastening mechanism which are placed in engagement with the fastening elements and, in the process, press the panel-shaped element onto the hollow profile.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the connecting element comprises at least one spring element, further comprising: fixing the connecting element in the hollow profile by using the at least one spring element in a position needed for the assembly of the panel-shaped element.
 12. A rail vehicle car, comprising: a car bodyshell; and at least one panel-shaped cladding element; wherein the panel-shaped cladding element is fastened to the car bodyshell by using at least one assembly device, the assembly device, comprising: at least one hollow profile with at least one longitudinal slot in a longitudinal direction of the hollow profile, and at least one connecting element for insertion into the hollow profile, the connecting element comprising at least two fastening elements and a carrier for receiving the fastening elements, wherein the fastening elements can be fixed to the carrier.
 13. The rail car of claim 12, wherein the assembly device further comprises: where the fastening elements are freely displaceable on or in the carrier in the longitudinal direction of the carrier.
 14. The rail car of claim 12, the assembly device further comprising: where the fastening elements can be offset on or in the carrier by a raster provided in the carrier.
 15. The rail car of claim 12, the assembly device further comprising: wherein the carrier comprises retention elements for the fixing of the fastening elements.
 16. The rail car of claim 12, the assembly device further comprising: wherein the fastening elements each comprises at least one internal thread, the thread axis of which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the carrier.
 17. The rail car of claim 12, the assembly device further comprising: wherein the carrier is a profile rail which is open on one side and in which the fastening elements can be fixed.
 18. The rail car of claim 12, the assembly device further comprising: wherein the connecting element comprises at least one spring element for the temporary fixing of the connecting element in the hollow profile. 